The nine tattvas, or principles, are the single most important
subject of Jain philosophy. It deals with the karma theory of
Jainism, which provides the basis for the path of liberation.
Without the proper knowledge of this subject, a person can not
progress spiritually. The true faith and understanding of this
subject brings about right faith (samyak-darshana), right
knowledge (samyak-jnana), and right conduct in an individual.

In addition to the above causes, the five great sins; violence,
untruth, stealing, sensual indulgence, and attachment to worldly
objects are also the cause of the influx of karmas.

4. Bandha (Bondage of karma)-
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Bandha is the attachment of karmic matter (karma pudgala) to the
soul. The soul has had this karmic matter bondage from eternity.
This karmic body is known as the karmana body or causal body.

Karmic matter is a particular type of matter which is attracted to
the soul because of its ignorance, lack of self restraint,
passions, unmindfulness, activities of body, mind, and speech.

The soul, which is covered by karmic matter, continues acquiring
new karma from the universe and exhausting old karma into the
universe through the above mentioned actions at every moment.

Because of this continual process of acquiring and exhausting karma
particles, the soul has to pass through the cycles of births and
deaths, and experiencing pleasure and pain. So under normal
circumstances the soul can not attain freedom from karma, and hence
liberation.

Prakriti bandha is classified into eight categories, according to
the particular attribute of the soul that it obscures.

Jnana-varaniya
It covers the soul's power of perfect knowledge.

Darasna-varaniya
It covers the soul's power of perfect visions.

Vedniya
It obscures the blissful nature of the soul, and thereby
produces pleasure and pain.

Mohniya
It generates delusion in the soul in regard to its own true
nature, and makes it identify itself with other substances.

Ayu
It determines the span of life in one birth, thus obscuring
its nature of eternal existence.

Nama
It obscures the non-corporeal existence of the soul, and
produces the body with its limitations, qualities, faculties,
etc.

Gotra
It obscures the souls characteristics of equanimity, and
determines the caste, family, social standing, etc.

Antaraya
It obstructs the natural energy of the soul and prevents it
from attaining liberation. It also prevents a living being
from doing something good and enjoyable.

Ghati and Aghati karmas:
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The above eight karmas are also categorized into two groups,
known as ghati and aghati karmas.

Ghati Karmas
Jnana-varaniya, Darasna-varaniya, Mohaniya, and Antaraya
karmas are called Ghati karmas (dangerous karmas) because
they obscure the true nature of the soul.

Aghati Karmas
Ayu, Nama, Gotra, and Vedniya karmas are called Aghati
karmas. They do not obscure the original nature of
the soul. However, they associate with the body of the
soul. Hence they can not destroyed by the soul so long as
it possesses a body.

When a person destroys all of his ghati karmas, at that time he
attains keval-jnana. However, he continues to live as a human
being because none of his aghati karmas are destroyed. He can
only attain liberation after all of his aghati karmas are
destroyed. Hence he attains liberation after his death.

When a person attains keval-jnana, he is known as an Arihant.
If an Arihant establishes the four fold order of Monks, Nuns,
Sravaka, (male layperson), and Sravika (female layperson) then
the Arihant is called a Tirthankara. Other Arihantas are known
as ordinary Kevali. After Nirvana (death) both Tirthankaras and
ordinary Kevalis are called Siddhas.

All Siddhas are unique individuals, but they all possess perfect
knowledge, vision, power, and bliss. Hence from the qualities
and attributes point of view all Siddhas are same.

Sthiti Bandha
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When karmic matter attaches to the soul the duration of the
attachment is determined at that time according to the intensity
or dullness of the soul's passions.

Anubhava Bandha or Rasa Bandha
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What fruits the karmic matter will produce is determined at the
time of attachment by varying degrees of passions.

Pradesa Bandha
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The quantum of karmic matter that is drawn towards the soul for
attachment is determined by the intensity or dullness of the
soul's action.

5. Punya (Virtue)
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The influx of karmic matter due to good activities of the mind,
body, and speech with the potential of producing pleasant
sensations is called punya or virtue.

9. Moksha -
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Moksha is the liberation of the living being (soul) after
complete exhaustion or elimination of all karmas.

A liberated soul regains totally its original attributes of
perfect knowledge, vision, power, and bliss. It climbs to the
top of Lokakas and remains there forever in its blissful and
unconditional existence.

It never returns again into the cycles of birth, life, and death.

This state of the soul is the liberated or perfect state, and
this is called "Nirvana."